Category: Government

President Muhammadu Buhari approved the suspension of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman, to allow for investigation into allegations against her, an official has said. This was disclosed Thursday night by presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu. Ms Bala-Usman, an ally of Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was first appointed as the NPA MD in 2016. Her tenure was renewed for another five years in January this year. Mr Shehu did not disclose details of the allegations against Ms Bala-Usman but said Mohammed Koko has been appointment…

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To enhance operations of the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency, (NIHSA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has provided three automatic Weather Observation Stations in support to NIHSA. Speaking in Abuja, at the unveiling of the 2021 annual flood outlook by the NHSA, NEMA’s Director-General, AVM Muhammadu Muhammed (rtd) said the weather stations which are at various stages of installations are located in Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti and Federal University, Kashere. According to AVM Muhammed, NEMA values “collaboration with our partners and are ready to strengthen…

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Men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police in Kwara State have intercepted four truckloads of Fulani/Bororo herders and their cattle in the state and have sent them back to where they came from. Sources revealed that the herders had planned to settle in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of the state before they were intercepted at Ipee town, in Oyun Local Government Area of the state. It was also gathered that the combined efforts of the men of the NSCDC and the police…

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The Kano State chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has appealed to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje to consider the payment of outstanding pensions, gratuities and death benefits of N26 billion to retirees. Mr Kabir Ado-Minjibir, the NLC Chairman in the state, made the call while briefing newsmen on Saturday in Kano to mark the 2021 workers’ day. The chairman said that the payment of the outstanding benefits was part of their requests to the state government for consideration. Other requests he said include: review of retirement age for all civil servants…

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Fiery Priest and Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Fr Ejike Mbaka, has stated that God had directed him to withdraw his support for the President, Muhammadu Buhari and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, and to prophesy against them. The respected Catholic priest made the assertion during a recent sermon in his church also blessed the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, for championing the cause of his people. He also spoke highly of Kanu whose group has been proscribed and labelled a terrorist organisation by the…

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The Federal Government has declared Monday, May 3, 2021, a public holiday to mark this year’s International Workers’ Day celebration. The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Nigerian workers for witnessing this year’s celebration. He commended them for their patience, understanding and support in driving the policies and programmes of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari “in its determination to move the country to the next level of socio-economic development.” Aregbesola in a statement on Thursday by the Permanent…

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Nigeria’s broadcast regulatory agency, National Broadcasting Commission on Monday wielded its big stick on Channels Television by ordering an immediate stoppage of one of its programmes, ‘Politics Today’ with a fine N5 million for breaching the broadcast code. The commission said it took the decision following the a live interview the station had with the spokesperson for the Indigenous People of Biafra, Emma Powerful. In a letter to the Managing Director of Channels Television signed by the Acting Director-General of the Commission, NBC, Armstrong Idachaba, the Commission referred to Channels…

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The Nigerian government has resolved to introduce additional control measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 strain in India to Nigeria. The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, who disclosed this on Sunday said the issue would be a subject of discussion at the ministerial experts’ committee meeting on Monday (today). India is currently witnessing what has been described as a devastating second wave of COVID-19 with confirmed cases and deaths increasing in the past weeks. The country is said to recording more than a quarter million cases per day.…

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Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday, urged the House to demand resignation or sack of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, over his controversial sermons and utterances backing the activities of Jihadist movements and deadly Islamic sects. Pantami has been under fire for once preaching the violent cause of extremist Islamist sects and Jihadist narratives of al-Qaeda and the Taliban before he became a member of the Federal Executive Council in the Buhari administration. At the plenary on Wednesday, Elumelu raised…

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The Federal Government through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has grounded a private chopper belonging to Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God at the Lagos Airport, investigations by Sunday  PUNCH, has revealed. It was learnt that the aircraft, AgustaWestland AW139 chopper, with registration number 5N-EAA, was suspended from flying over two weeks ago, following the expiration of some of its papers and spare parts. The suspension, officials said, would also allow the regulator to conduct vital safety checks on its safety-critical components, especially some spare parts that are…

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Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo State has called out the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, for denying that the Federal Government printed N60 billion in March to support allocation to states. The governor, who accused the Federal Government of “monetary rascality”, also tackled the finance minister for “playing the ostrich”. Obaseki said this while reacting to the denial by Ahmed that his claim on FG’s printing of N60bn was “untrue”. On Thursday, Obaseki tweeted, “While we do not want to join issues with the Federal…

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday evening returned to Nigeria from London after a prolonged medical check-up. The Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, led other top government officials to receive Buhari at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. After the brief airport ceremony, Buhari and his entourage made their way to the Presidential Villa.

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Fireworks and fierce exchange dominated the day as Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, appeared before the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on the Need to Review the Purchase, Use and Control of Arms, Ammunition and Related Hardware by Military, Paramilitary and Other Law Enforcement Agencies on Monday. The committee had earlier invited Attahiru and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, on the 22nd of March and the 7th of April respectively to answer questions on the procurement of arms and ammunition. During Attahiru’s appearance…

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The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has slammed reports linking him to Al-Qaeda terrorists. Pantami made this clarification on Monday, April 12, via a series of tweets that stated, “My lectures against the doctrines and all other evil people have been available for over 15 years, including debates that endangered my life against many criminals in Nigeria. If you can’t understand Hausa, get an objective Hausa speaker to translate for you objectively. “On the issue of NIN-SIM Verification to fight insecurity, there is no going back. Our priority as GOVERNMENT…

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UPDATE ON MISSING NAF ALPHA JET AIRCRAFT Intelligence report gathered by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) indicates that the Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) that went off the radar with 2 crew members on board on 31 March 2021 might have crashed. The cause of the crash as well as the whereabouts of the 2 pilots remain unknown. The pilots are Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele. Extensive search and rescue efforts are still ongoing by NAF surveillance aircraft as well as NAF Special Forces and Nigerian Army…

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Palpable anxiety and confusion pervade the Nigerian Aviation and Armed Forces circles as a Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet involved in the anti-terror war against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province that was reported to have lost radar contact in Borno State, Wednesday evening is still missing. NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, in a statement on Thursday, said the Alpha Jet lost radar contact on Wednesday evening. The NAF spokesman, however, did not disclose the number of officers onboard the yet-to-be-found jet. The statement titled, ‘Nigerian Air…

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President Muhammadu Buhari will on Tuesday embark on a medical trip to London. According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, “President Buhari billed for a routine medical check-up in London.” Adesina said Buhari was expected back in the country in the second week of April after what he called “a routine medical check-up.” The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari proceeds to London, the United Kingdom, Tuesday, March 30, 2021, for a routine medical check-up. “The President meets with Security Chiefs…

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Samuel Ortom, governor of Nigeria’s Benue state whose convoy was attacked by gunmen along Gboko/Markudi road on Saturday afternoon has named the group who should be held responsible for the attack. Suspected gunmen believed to be bandits had attacked the convoy of Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom at Tyo Mu along Makurdi/Gboko road around noon. It was gathered that the Governor was on his way to Makurdi when the gunmen opened fire on his convoy but were repelled by his security men. In a statement, the governor said, “You know…

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President Muhammadu Buhari has named an expressway in Abuja after his Niger Republic counterpart, Issoufou Mahamadou. FCT Minister, Muhammed Bello, alongside Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, announced this on Tuesday during the inauguration of the road. Bello said, “Earlier today, the first phase of the on-going Outer Southern Expressway in Abuja was named the ‘Mahamadou Issoufou Expressway’ in honour of the President of the Republic of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou. “The road was named after the Nigerien President by President Muhammadu Buhari as a mark of deep appreciation for the…

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Ex-Niger Delta regional war lord, Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo, has declared a new state, new “Biafra de facto customary government” from the Nigerian Federation and declared himself as head of the government. Dokubo cited “injustice and marginalisation” on the Igbo found in various zones of the country as the reason for his aspiring for a “better life for his people.” According to a statement issued by one Uche Mefor, described as the Head of Information and Communication of the customary government. Copies of the statement were made available to journalists…

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The Lagos State Government has said Falomo Bridge would be shut down for six weeks with effect from Sunday, March 14, 2021. This was contained in a statement by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, on Friday. He stated that this follows the approval secured from the Federal Government for repair works on the bridge which will be completed on April 30, 2021. He said that “the repair works will run on a 24-hour shift in phases to enable the contractor complete repairs within the estimated time…

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Bulgaria on Friday suspended the use of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine as it investigated the death of a woman with several underlying conditions who received the jab this week. The temporary suspension follows other countries in Europe, including Denmark, Iceland and Norway, which paused AstraZeneca vaccinations over safety concerns. “I order a halt in vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine until the European Medicines Agency dismisses all doubts about its safety,” said a government press service statement quoting Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. The prime minister requested “a written statement with an accurate…

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Thirty-five years after his execution for alleged involvement in a coup plot, the family of the late General Mamman Vatsa has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to grant him a state pardon. Vatsa and some military officers were executed on March 5, 1986, after their alleged involvement in a coup plot, and the day was set aside by his family and the Vatsa community, Gulu in Lapai Local Government of Niger State for remembrance and special prayers for his soul. Speaking to newsmen after marking this year’s anniversary of his death…

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Mallam Tanko Mohammed, a security guard with the Kainji National Park in Borge local government area of Niger state have been killed by armed Bandits, who invaded the park on Monday evening while several others were injured. The deceased National park guard hailed from Wawa town community in New Bussa. A source close to the Park told The Sun on telephone, Monday evening that no fewer than four other guards who were together with late Tanko Mohammed at the time of the invasion, also sustained varying degrees of injuries. They are currently…

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The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Chairman Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, and members of the PTF will on Monday in Abuja receive doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines. The Director Press, Office of the SGF, Willie Bassey, said this in a notice on Sunday night. The development about 48 hours after the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, have received their doses of the vaccine, live, on Saturday at the Presidential Villa. The SGF and the PTF members…

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The Nigerian Army has announced the redeployment and posting of over 100 senior officers with a charge to remain absolutely loyal to the Constitution of the nation. The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Mohammed Yerima, said the massive shake-up was in line with the bid to re-position the Nigerian Army (NA) for optimal performance, adding that all postings and appointments take effect from 10 March, 2021. According to the statement, “the NA has released postings and appointments of some affected senior officers. The posting, which was approved by the Chief…

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I feel no pain, says Osinbajo President Muhammadu Buhari, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Saturday, got vaccinated with the Astra-Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The President and his Deputy received the vaccine following the launch of the vaccination exercise in the country with frontline health workers. The event was preceded by e-registration of President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo and filling out of their vaccination cards by Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib. The vaccination of President Buhari was…

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The Lagos State Government will close down the Marine Bridge partially for three months beginning from Tuesday, March 9, to Monday, June 21, 2021 for emergency repair works on the Apapa outward section of the bridge. A statement released by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde said the partial closure was necessary to maintain the bridge infrastructure. The repair work according to him includes removal, and cleaning of the existing expansion joints to prevent further deterioration. He also explained that during the period of the partial closure, traffic will…

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President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, will receive shots of AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday. Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib, disclosed this at a State House briefing in Abuja on Thursday. According to him, the exercise will boost the confidence of Nigerians to receive the about four million doses of AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine shipped into the country this week. Shuaib said, “The next step in the vaccination programme given that we’ve now received the vaccines is a launch that will be taking place…

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President Mohammadu Buhari’s birthday greeting was conspicuously missing as respected evangelist and God’s gift to Christendom, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, clocked 79. Many Nigerians including fellow clergies and the political class taken to the social media to celebrate the cleric whose influence amongst Christian in Nigeria and all over the world is beyond doubt. For the venerable man of God, this year’s celebration is without a goodwill message from fellow septuagenarian and President of Nigeria, Mohammadu Buhari, who has not…

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The Nigerian Government has declared bandits ravaged Zamfara State in Northern part of the country a ‘no fly zone’. The National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.), on Tuesday announced that President Muhammadu Buhari, approved the declaration as part of efforts to tackle the security challenges being witnessed in the state. He said the President also approved the recommendation that mining activities in the state should stop immediately. Monguno who spoke with State House correspondents, at the end of a meeting of the National Security Council held at the…

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Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, has advised the Federal Government to channel its energy towards arresting Boko Haram leader, Ibrahim Shekau, and Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who has been holding meetings with bandits. Igboho said this during an interview with The PUNCH on Friday while reacting to the face-off between him and security agents around the Guru Maharaji bus stop along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The Yoruba rights activist, who has been in the news for serving a quit notice on Fulani herdsmen in some parts of…

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Pilot of the ill-fated Nigerian Air Force Intelligence Reconnaissance Aircraft which crashed in Abuja, on Sunday, reportedly complained of engine failure barely moments after takeoff. “The aircraft was on its way to Minna, on getting to Bassa Local Government Area, he informed the control tower that he had experienced an engine failure, reports The Punch.  The Pilot, the source continued “was advised to return to the Abuja airport immediately but it crash-landed” killing all 7 people on board. In a statement, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle…

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The Nigerian Army has appointed a veteran Public Relations practitioner, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima as its Director of Public Relations. Yerima replaces Brig.-Gen. Saghir Musa, who has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kontagora in Niger State. Yerima, a one-time Acting Director Defence of Information, was until his appointment, the deputy director reserve at the Defence Headquarters. According to the profile released by the Army Headquarters, Yerima is a graduate of Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University. He enrolled in the Nigerian Army in October 1989 and was commissioned…

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The management of BUA has reacted to a statement issued by CACOVID disputing Abdulsamad Rabiu’s claims that the frontline businessman has purchased one million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines for Nigeria. BUA stated that after extensive deliberations, there was no agreement reached and despite members being offered the opportunity to donate funds towards procuring the doses, none offered. It stated, “BUA then took it upon itself to offer to pay for the one million doses at the agreed rate of $3.45 per dose totalling $3.45m which translates to N1.311bn. “The…

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday honoured former governor, Babatunde Fashola by naming the LagosHOMS, Iponri after him. The project is now known as ‘BRFHOMS, Iponri’. The governor commissioned the project on Wednesday, delivering additional 132 homes to the housing stock in the area. The governor said the stride underscored its readiness and avowed commitment to reducing the housing deficit in Lagos State. “The commissioning of this beautiful estate marks the third ceremony of its kind in the past few days. On Saturday, we were at Idale where 252…

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